John A. Fliter

Ph.D. Government and Politics, University of Maryland, College Park

Dr. Fliter is an associate professor of political science at Kansas State University. He received his B.A. in political science from California State University, Northridge, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park. He has written articles on freedom of speech, church-state relations, the jurisprudence of Justice David Souter, and prison reform litigation. His articles have appeared in The Journal of Political Science Education, Law and Society Review, Southeastern Political Review, Journal of Church and State, The Justice Professional, and the Free Speech Yearbook. His forthcoming book, U.S. v. Darby Lumber: The Triumph of Fair Labor Standards, will be published by the University Press of Kansas in 2025. His other books include Child Labor in America: The Epic Legal Struggle to Protect Children, University Press of Kansas (2018), Fighting Foreclosure: The Blaisdell Case, the Contract Clause, and the Great Depression, co-authored with Derek Hoff, University Press of Kansas (2012), and Prisoners’ Rights: The Supreme Court and Evolving Standards of Decency, Greenwood Press (2001).

Dr. Fliter’s research interests include the Supreme Court and the New Deal, judicial policy making, civil rights and liberties, and law, politics and literature.

Professor Fliter received Gaches Lifetime Teaching Award from the College of Arts and Sciences in 2024. He was named the 2013-14 Coffman University Distinguished Teaching Scholar, and he received the Presidential Teaching Award in 2010. He teaches courses on U.S. politics, the judicial process, administrative law, constitutional law, civil rights and liberties, and law, politics and literature. Dr. Fliter serves as co-advisor to the Model UN Team. He is a military history buff, music collector, an avid fan of K-State sports, and a long-suffering Cleveland Indians/Guardians fan.